Sermon and Worship Resources

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Showing 1801 to 1825 of 4942 results

1801. Unity of Life and Faith

1 Corinthians 6:12-20

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Preben Vang

Big Idea: Spiritual life cannot be separated from the material. Rather than being spiritually irrelevant, the body is the sphere of worship—a place for God’s presence to be revealed. Christian identity and Christian lifestyle are interlocked. Understanding the Text Following his vice list in 6:9–10 and getting ready for his teaching on marriage in chapter 7, Paul now revisits and broadens his discussion on sexual immorality from chapter 5. Whereas chapter 5 and 6:1–11 dealt with particular and somewhat ...

1802. Personal Rights and Christian Testimony

1 Corinthians 9:1-27

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Preben Vang

Big Idea: Personal rights must be put aside when they hinder an effective witness to unbelievers, or if they endanger the faith of immature believers. Even theological arguments that disclose certain behaviors as immaterial to the Christian faith become irrelevant in light of the greater assignment to imitate Christ. Understanding the Text The transition from chapter 8 seems quite abrupt. Is Paul taking a ninety-degree turn from a question about participation in Corinthian parties (eating meat) to his ...

1803. The Focus of Christian Worship

1 Corinthians 14:26-40, 1 Corinthians 14:1-25

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Preben Vang

Big Idea: Christian worship gatherings must be conducted in an orderly fashion to avoid confusion and to ensure that the character of Christ is clearly portrayed throughout the service. Individuals desiring to share their gifts must submit to the greater purpose of portraying Christ. Understanding the Text Having dealt generally with the matter of tongue speaking (the exercise of private devotion) in a public gathering, Paul now turns to the more specific subject of how several of the questions he ...

1804. Message to Laodicea

Revelation 3:14-22

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J. Scott Duvall

Big Idea: Jesus rebukes his church for its pathetic self-sufficiency and exhorts them to repent and open their hearts to him for restored fellowship and a share in his victory and authority. Understanding the Text The message to the church in Laodicea is the seventh (and final) in a series of messages to the seven churches in Revelation 2–3. Influenced by the local culture, the church considers itself wealthy and self-sufficient, but Jesus’s assessment differs markedly. He repeatedly utilizes images from ...

1805. The Lamb and the 144,000

Revelation 14:1-5

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J. Scott Duvall

Big Idea: One day believers will stand in the presence of God and the Lamb and celebrate with a new song of redemption. Understanding the Text In chapter 13 the dragon stands on the seashore and calls forth the two beasts to wage war against the saints (13:1–10, 11–18). Chapter 14, the last part of the extended interlude of 12:1–14:20, opens with the Lamb standing victorious with his faithful followers on Mount Zion. The war and struggle of chapter 13 appear in bold contrast to the victory and celebration ...

1806. Purification from “Leprosy”

Leviticus 14:33-57, Leviticus 14:1-32

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: Impurities that separate people from God can be cleansed. Understanding the Text Leviticus 13–14 is in a larger unit dealing with ceremonial uncleanness generally (Lev. 11–15). Leviticus 13 identifies the problem of a skin condition (loosely termed “leprosy” in English) and similar-looking molds that produce ceremonial impurity. For persons struck with this condition, the consequences are serious, involving separation from God’s sanctuary and separation from the people of God. Leviticus 14 ...

1807. Punishments for Sin

Leviticus 20:1-27

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: God holds people accountable for their sins. Understanding the Text Leviticus 20 is another chapter in the laws of holiness (Lev. 17–27), making its own explicit call to holiness (vv. 7–8) and, near the end of the chapter, issuing a concluding call to holiness (v. 26). Holiness in this chapter revolves around idolatry and sexuality. The chapter overlaps considerably in content with Leviticus 18 (sexual offenses, Molek worship) and to some degree with Leviticus 19 between the two. Leviticus 20 ...

1808. Impurity, Repentance, and Jealousy

Num 5:1-31

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: God’s people must deal with ritual and moral impurities. Understanding the Text Following the census of priests and Levites in Numbers 3–4, Numbers 5 introduces laws that involve priests: 1. Cases of ceremonial impurity (vv. 1–4) (cf. Ezek. 44:33) 2. Restitution given to priests for false oaths (vv. 5–10) 3. A priestly ritual regarding a jealous husband (vv. 11–31) In each of these cases the issue involves the need for Israel to be pure. Historical and Cultural Background Requiring those accused ...

1809. Keeping Promises

Numbers 30:1-16

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: Take solemn promises and commitments seriously. Understanding the Text Following the first census in Numbers is a section dealing with vows, specifically Nazirite vows (Num. 6). Likewise, after the second census Numbers 30 deals with vows, especially women’s vows. Why would a section on vows follow Numbers 28–29, which is on offerings made on holy days? Perhaps because holy days are occasions for completing vows. Numbers 29:39 mentions that “vows” can be completed by sacrifice on holy occasions. ...

1810. Cities of Refuge

Numbers 35:6-34, Numbers 35:1-5

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: Bloodshed is an offense against humankind for which God requires expiation. Understanding the Text The last chapters of the book of Numbers are concerned with the division of the land. Numbers 32 describes how Reuben, Gad, and half of the tribe of Manasseh will settle in the Transjordan, and Numbers 34 describes the borders of the land of Canaan that Israel is to conquer for the nine and a half tribes who will settle there. Numbers 36, on the daughters of Zelophehad (see Num. 27:1–11), is ...

1811. The Daughters of Zelophehad (Part 2)

Numbers 36:1-13

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Joe M. Sprinkle

Big Idea: God’s inheritance is assured. Understanding the Text The book of Numbers concludes by returning to the story of the daughters of Zelophehad, which begins in Numbers 27. Why does the narrator divide this story into two episodes, one in Numbers 27 and another in Numbers 36? As noted earlier, Alan Kam-Yau Chan argues persuasively that the reason is structural: the first part of Numbers is bracketed by the two censuses (Num. 1–4; 26), whereas the second half (Num. 27–36) is bracketed by the two ...

1812. Fighting Wars and Keeping a Promise: David Establishes an Ideal of Kingship

2 Sam 8:1–10:19

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: The Lord blesses his chosen servants when they rely on his protection and seek to reflect his character in their dealings with others. Understanding the Text The narrator’s positive portrayal of King David continues in these chapters. Once David became king over all Israel, he conquered the Jebusite stronghold of Jerusalem and then turned the tables on the Philistines. He brought the ark to Jerusalem and intended to build a house (temple) for it. But then the Lord surprised David by announcing ...

1813. The Lord Thwarts a Curse

2 Sam 16:1-14

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: The Lord vindicates his repentant servants when they humbly submit to his discipline. Understanding the Text Absalom has gained widespread support and declared himself king. Even David’s counselor, Ahithophel, has switched his allegiance. Knowing that Absalom would soon march with his army to Jerusalem, David has hastily left the city and was forced once more to run for his life. In this crisis David has submitted to God’s sovereign will, but he also has prayed and wisely enlisted the support of ...

1814. David’s Mighty Men

2 Samuel 21:15-22

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: The Lord enables his chosen servants to accomplish their God-given tasks by providing them with the support they need. Understanding the Text As noted above, in the concentric structure of the epilogue are two matching units (21:15–22 and 23:8–39) that focus on David’s mighty men. The epilogue reflects and summarizes David’s career as outlined in 1–2 Samuel. These units correspond to 2 Samuel 5–10, which describes David’s military victories. They also form a ring around the epilogue’s central ...

1815. The Lord Is My Rock

2 Samuel 22:1-51

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: The Lord protects his chosen servants from those who oppose them and enables them to accomplish the tasks he has commissioned them to do. Understanding the Text This lengthy thanksgiving song, in which David praises the Lord for delivering him from death and for empowering him in battle, encapsulates the most important theological themes that emerge from the preceding narrative of David’s career. (For fuller discussion, see above: “Additional Insights: The Structure and Function of 2 Samuel 21–24 ...

1816. Ruling in the Fear of the Lord

2 Samuel 23:1-7

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: The Lord expects his chosen servants to promote righteousness and to find hope in his faithful promises. Understanding the Text This poem is titled “the last words of David” (v. 1). It begins with a divine oracle that the Lord’s Spirit has spoken through David (vv. 2–4). This is followed by David’s response, which reflects on God’s covenantal commitment to him (vv. 5–7). The reference to David as the Lord’s “anointed” (v. 1) links this poem with the one that immediately precedes it (cf. 2 Sam. 22 ...

1817. The Lord Chooses a Prophet

1 Sam 3:1--4:1

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: The Lord is willing to revive his broken relationship with his people through those who honor him. Understanding the Text This account of God’s choice of Samuel to be his prophet complements the preceding chapter, which tells of his rejecting the house of Eli. As noted above, chapter 2 contrasts Eli and his sons with Samuel. They were rejected, while Samuel grew in favor with the Lord (2:26). That contrast continues here. Samuel, earlier pictured in a priestly role (2:18), now also assumes a ...

1818. The Ark Does Some Damage

1 Samuel 5:1-12

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: Even when the Lord appears to be defeated, he remains sovereign and invincible. Understanding the Text This chapter focuses on the ark, which was captured when the Philistines defeated Israel (4:22). Though one suspects Israel’s defeat was due to the Lord’s judgment upon Eli’s sons, the capture of the ark creates tension in the story and raises questions: How could the Lord allow the visible symbol of his presence to be taken away? Have the Philistines and their god actually defeated the Lord? ...

1819. The “Nine Lives” of David

1 Samuel 19:1-24

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: Whether by divine providence or direct intervention, God is capable of protecting his chosen servants from those who seek to destroy them. Understanding the Text In chapter 18 Saul used different methods to try to kill David on three separate occasions (18:10–11, 17, 25). The pattern continues in chapter 19: (1) Saul orders Jonathan to kill David (19:1), (2) he again throws a spear at David (19:10; cf. 18:10–11), (3) he orders his henchmen to arrest David and bring him to the royal palace for ...

1820. David Spares Saul’s Life—Again

1 Samuel 26:1-25

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Robert B. Chisholm Jr.

Big Idea: The Lord vindicates his chosen servants when they look to him for justice. Understanding the Text For a second time in the story, the Ziphites report David’s whereabouts to Saul (cf. 1 Sam. 23:19). Earlier Saul confessed David’s innocence and even asked the Lord to bless David (1 Sam. 24:16–21), but now again the king is ready to hunt David down and kill him. David decides once more to demonstrate his loyalty to Saul. Though the Lord again seemingly delivers Saul into his hands, David refuses to ...

1821. Job Shatters the Silence

Job 3:1-26

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Daniel J. Estes

Big Idea: Job brings his most troubling thoughts and deepest pains to words and views his adversity in the light of his commitment to God. Understanding the Text Job 3 begins an extended section of poetry in which Job and his three friends speak in turn. After the prose prologue in Job 1–2, the narrator fades from view, and we hear the voices of the individual speakers. Without the narrator, the readers have no interpreter to explain what is being said, so they have to listen attentively to the threads of ...

1822. Job’s Hope against Hope

Job 19:1-29

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Daniel J. Estes

Big Idea: In a situation that seems hopeless, Job maintains a ray of hope in God. Understanding the Text In chapter 19, Job responds to Bildad’s second speech. Job uses a mixture of lament and legal language to express how abandoned he feels by his friends (19:1–6), by God (19:7–12), and by the full range of people in his community (19:13–19). In the final verses of the chapter, Job pleads with his friends for compassion (19:20–22), he articulates his hope for a redeemer to take up his cause (19:23–27), ...

1823. Job Comes to a Good End

Job 42:7-17, Job 42:1-6

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Daniel J. Estes

Big Idea: Job realizes that Yahweh’s ways are more wonderful than he has known before, and he comes to enjoy Yahweh’s renewed blessings on his life. Understanding the Text After Yahweh speaks to Job in chapters 38 and 39, Job replies tentatively to him in 40:3–5. Yahweh’s second round of questions, in 40:6–41:34, with his detailed descriptions of Behemoth and Leviathan, then evokes a more definitive response from Job in 42:1–6. In his second reply, Job acknowledges that he has come to a more accurate ...

1824. “You Are Not a God Who Is Pleased with Wickedness”

Psalm 5:1-12

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C. Hassell Bullock

Big Idea: God and evil are mutually incompatible, and on the human level, that is effectively demonstrated in the harmful results of evil perpetrated on others. Understanding the Text Psalm 5 is an individual lament (see “The Anatomy of Lament” in the introduction), issuing a complaint that the psalmist’s enemies cannot be trusted (not unusual for one’s enemies!) and affirming trust in the Lord. So far we have seen a lineup of psalms (2–5) that deal with David’s enemies. His reign was one of war and ...

1825. “Blessed Is the One Whose Transgressions Are Forgiven”

Psalm 32:1-11

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C. Hassell Bullock

Big Idea: The story of saving grace begins with the confession of a repentant heart and climaxes with joyful witness in the congregation of God’s people. Understanding the Text Psalm 32 is generally classified as an individual psalm of thanksgiving, a genre that incorporates the report of a crisis and the account of deliverance as an accomplished fact.[1] The crisis (32:3–4) is nondescript and could stem from a physical, psychological, political, or spiritual trauma, or all of the above. In this psalm the ...

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